DCity Smokehouse: Barbecue in Washington DC
BBQ
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bloomingdale
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DC
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DCity Smokehouse
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food
By La'Chia Harrison, The Dining Traveler Event & Food Contributor
A few weeks ago, Bloomingdaleʼs
DCity Smokehouse celebrated their one year anniversary with a special tasting
party. The restaurant has been a huge success so far with lines often stretching
out the door and around the block. Also, the Washington Post calls it “the
finest BBQ in DC”. Despite the acclaim, I had my doubts. DC doesnʼt have the
best reputation and barbecue isnʼt something Iʼd go out of my way to get.
DCity Smokehouse Wings |
One bite of the smokehouse wings,
however, turned my assumptions on their head! Dry rubbed with a proprietary
seasoning blend, smoked in house and flash fried, these wings delivered great
flavor and texture with every bite. By far my favorite thing I ate that night!
Also on offer was the best selling brisket which regularly sells out. While it was
very tender and well seasoned, I didnʼt think it was as compelling as the
wings. Iʼm not a beef person, anyway.
Pork Platter |
Pulled pork is a classic at
barbecue joints and DCity Smokehouseʼs does not disappoint. The pork shoulder is
dry rubbed then hickory and cherrywood smoked. It reminded me of the barbecue
my aunt makes and is just as good. My favorite pork item was the pork belly.
How can you go wrong with seasoned and smoked bacon?
No barbecue meal would be
complete without sides! Crispy Brussels sprouts and hush puppies were served to
go along with meat. The Brussels sprouts are a far cry from the boiled, smelly
bulbs we all hated growing up. DCity Smokehouse seasons them with the same mix
of spices used for the wings and then grills them. At the end of the party, there
were none left! The hush puppies were also nothing like the ones I despised as
a kid. When I took a bite, I was pleasantly surprised to find that they tasted
just like sweet corn bread.
DCity Smokehouse Restaurant |
DCity Smokhouse Team (Pitmaster
Rob Sonderman, Sous Chef Shawn
McWhirter, owners Scott Jacobs and Melvin Hines, and cook Dennis Geddie)
|
For Pitmaster Rob Sonderman and
his staff, good quality food is the highest priority. DCity Smokehouseʼs “BBQ
philosophy” is simply the good kind. Itʼs going to be good as long as you care
about it, Sonderman says. In every bite I took, it was evident that DCity Smokehouse
takes great pride in their food. I would be more than willing to return and try
more dishes. After a highly successful year, DCity Smokehouse is on the hunt
for more space so that they can bring barbecue to more Washingtonians. Hopefully,
the next location will be more accessible by Metro!
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